Gagik Galfayan, a history teacher, named 2027 California Teacher of the Year alongside 4 other educators

Gagik Galfayan, a history teacher at Glendale’s Woodrow Wilson Middle School, was named 2027 California Teacher of the Year, alongside four other educators by Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, on Thursday.

The honor is in recognition of the teachers’ outstanding commitment to students, schools, and communities across the state.

The five educators will serve as ambassadors for the teaching profession and represent California educators throughout 2027, according to an announcement by the California Department of Education. Galfayan was the only educator from Los Angeles County selected for the 2027 award.

Galfayan immigrated to the United States from Armenia with his family in 1995 as a child. He attended Glendale public schools, learned English, and eventually returned to teach in the very community that shaped much of his future.

Galfayan has spent 14 years of his teaching career supporting students from diverse backgrounds, especially immigrant students and English learners.

Earlier in his career, he also taught in the Glendale Unified Armenian dual language immersion program, helping students develop their language skills while staying connected to his Armenian heritage.